12 under treatment at burn institute, most in critical condition

A total of 12 patients, who were injured in today's Gulistan blast, are undergoing treatment at Sheikh Hasina National Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute.

"Of them, three are under life support while nothing can be said for certain about the rest but most of them are in critical condition," said Prof Samanta Lal Sen, coordinator of the hospital. 

Of the patients, Al Amin, 24, is an intern doctor at Sir Salimullah Medical College. He suffered 20 percent burns.

Two brothers, Khalil Shikder, 50, and Olil Shikder, 55, are also among the patients.  Both are workers of a sanitary ware shop located on the ground floor of the building where the explosion took place. 

They were sitting idle on their rickshaw van in front of the shop. Suddenly, they heard an explosion from above their heads and fire engulfed them.

Olil's son Babul said his father sustained 30 percent burns while his uncle Khalil suffered 40 percent.

Secretary of the Health Services Division Anwar Hossain Hawlader, and Director General of Directorate General of the Health Services Prof Dr ABM Khurshid Alam visited the institute.